It's #FAKE - video of a cow carrying dogs on its back during a flood; scene was made with artificial intelligence
A viral video purportedly showing a cow carrying dogs during a flood has been debunked as a fake created with artificial intelligence.
A recent viral video circulating on social media depicts a brown cow walking through a flooded street while carrying four dogs on its back. This footage has been labeled as '#FAKE' as it was created using artificial intelligence. It gained traction on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X, with many sharing it without acknowledging its fabricated nature. The visual manipulation presents a plausible but ultimately false scenario involving significant flooding, suggesting an emergency situation.
The emergence of this video can be traced back to at least January 20, when it first appeared online. It resurfaced in early February, particularly in profiles with Spanish captions linking it to heavy rainfall events in Colombia. The misleading labels often overlook the reality that the video is artificially generated, fostering misinformation during times when the public is particularly sensitive to real climate emergencies. This misrepresentation of reality emphasizes the need for heightened digital literacy and caution when engaging with viral content, especially on social media.
As the video continues to circulate, it highlights the implications of deepfake technology and its potential to misinform and manipulate public perception. Such instances raise concerns about the reliability of visual media in the digital age, underscoring the critical importance of fact-checking and media literacy. It serves as a reminder that not everything seen online is genuine, and users should approach viral videos with skepticism, particularly those that evoke strong emotional responses related to crises or disasters.